President al Bashir spoke out earlier this week against the project, accusing Clooney and other investors of illegally spying on him.

In response to al Bashir's criticism, Clooney told The Guardian: "He puts out a statement saying that I'm spying on him and how would I like it if a camera was following me everywhere I went, and I go, 'Well, welcome to my life, Mr War Criminal!'"

Clooney added: "I want the war criminal to have the same amount of attention that I get. I think that's fair."